Monaco: Tennis star Novak Djokovic, record-breaking gymnast Simone Biles, golfing legend Tiger Woods and the World Cup-winning French football team bagged top honours at the 2019 Laureus World Sports Awards which took place here Monday night.
Djokovic fought off tough competition from the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Eliud Kipchoge and LeBron James to win the Laureus ‘World Sportsman of the Year Award’.
This was the fourth time won the Laureus award and he equalled Usain Bolt’s record. Roger Federer has won it a record five times.
“Last year was an incredible season for me, returning from injury to win Wimbledon and the US Open is something I’ll remember forever. I am delighted and I would like to thank the Laureus Academy for their support,” said the Serbian.
Biles was crowned ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ after her record-breaking performance at the World Championships, in which she won four gold, one silver and one bronze medal.
Biles, who also won the same Award in 2017, made history last year by becoming the first woman to win four all-around World Championships. At just 21, she now has a record 14 career world titles.
FIFA World Cup winners France became the first national football team to win a second ‘Team of the Year’ award, fighting off competition from the world-leading teams across a range of sports including Mercedes AMG Petronas F1, Golden State Warriors and Real Madrid. Manager Didier Deschamps was in Monaco to accept the award on behalf of the team.
Japan’s first Grand Slam tennis star Naomi Osaka received the ‘Breakthrough of the Year Award’ for her victory in the US Open, where she defeated five-time Laureus Award winner Serena Williams.
Golfing star Woods won his third Laureus Award, after winning the ‘Sportsman of the Year’ accolade in 2000 and 2001.
The American, who was not present, won the ‘World Comeback of the Year’ Award for winning the Tour Championship, his first win in 1,876 days. Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat was nominated in this category and attended the ceremony.
Yuwa, a sport for development organisation that works in the rural region of Jharkhand, received the ‘Sport for Good Award’ for using the game of football to improve the lives of young girls from disadvantaged communities.
The Laureus Academy recognised marathon world record breaker Eliud Kipchoge with the ‘Exceptional Achievement Award’. Kipchoge, who ran the fastest time ever in a marathon in Berlin last year with a time of 2:1:39 seconds, broke the previous record by a massive one minute 18 seconds.
Legendary football manager Arsene Wenger received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his contribution to football during his 22 years as manager of Arsenal.
PTI
